Frieda Kahlo was not just an artist with Mexican heritage. Rather she was a revolutionary force to be reckoned with who inspired change through the medium of artistic expression. Her paintings characterised by their raw vivid imagery proved not only to be allegorical of her struggle with cultural identity but also dwelled into her personal experiences with pain, and struggle that led her to ignite the true spirit of revolutionary resistance.
Her famous works including ‘The Two Fridas’ (1939), a double self-portrait that illustrates her dual heritage showcases the conflict between her Europeaness and Mexicanness. Using symbols of a contrasting European attire and a traditional Mexican Tehuana dress, she explores the complex theme of identity struggle in her portrait – something that resonates deeply within the Pakistani populous who continue to struggle with balancing their Eastern heritage and conforming to a Western standard. Her ‘self portrait’ with a thorn necklace and hummingbird’ (1940) depicts the ‘dead Hummingbird’ that was once a symbol of hope in Mexican culture and calls for the need to go back to one’s identity and reviving
ones own culture. By transforming personal suffering into universal expressions of strength and defiance, she inspired countless individuals to embrace their own struggles and find beauty in their resilience.
